No Real Progress Yet on ACSA Fuel Supply Crisis

Dear Editor

The Airports Company South Africa’s (ACSA) medium- to long-term plans to ensure a stable aircraft fuel supply at major airports remain deeply concerning. While a short-term safety measure has been implemented, there is still no meaningful progress toward a long-term, sustainable solution.

The DA is alarmed by the ongoing lack of coordination and progress across key departments responsible for securing South Africa’s aviation fuel supply. ACSA’s fuel supply strategy, as presented to Parliament this week, does not sufficiently address several critical challenges:

• Regulatory restrictions are preventing timely fuel stock resupplies.
• Fuel storage capacity remains too low at key airports.
• NERSA regulations limit fuel stock capacity, which ACSA is not addressing.
• Stockpiling of fuel during winter months when fuel deliveries are often disrupted by rough seas is insufficient.

It is essential to recognise that ACSA does not sell aviation fuel—it only facilitates its supply. This means that a lasting solution requires coordination between multiple stakeholders, including refineries, regulators, and government departments.

The DA will take decisive action to ensure the Department of Transport, the Department of Mineral Resources and Petroleum, and the Department of Electricity and Energy work together to remove the barriers preventing a stable fuel supply at our airports. We will engage these key role players and drive political action to resolve this crisis.

Severe fuel shortages have repeatedly disrupted operations at both international and domestic airports, threatening business travel, economic activity, investment, and tourism. The DA’s intervention aims to eliminate these barriers, ensuring South Africa’s economy remains open for growth and job creation.

Regards

Dr Chris Hunsinger MP
DA Spokesperson on Transport